Spray cap for aerosol container

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a spray cap for aerosol containers comprising an integrally formed housing (1) comprising an actuating button (2) and an actuating lever (3), both flexibly connected to the housing (1). The actuating button (2) has a drive hook (18), which moves into interaction with a drive projection (19) disposed on the actuating lever (3) when the actuating button (2) is firstly moved radially and then axially. Due to the combined movements required for actuating the aerosol container, unauthorised use is to the greatest extent excluded. The actuating button (2) and actuating lever (3) are so designed that, via a recess (16) provided in the actuating button (2), the latter can be moved axially downwards without the drive hook (18) engaging with the drive projection (19) of the actuating lever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a spray cap for an aerosol container,comprising a housing and an actuating lever with a tubular projection,which may be inserted in or mounted on a valve tubelet of the aerosolcontainer, according to the preamble to patent claim 1.

Spray caps for aerosol containers are known for example from theEuropean Patent 0 160 816. The spray cap illustrated therein comprises acap housing and an actuating lever with a tubular projection, which maybe inserted in or mounted on a valve tubelet of the aerosol container.In addition there is provided a nozzle, which communicates with the feedchannel and the said projection. The known actuating button isintegrally formed with the cap housing, in such a way that it isconnected at its rear end by means of separating webs having deliberatebreakage points, and is connected at the other end by a hinge connectionto the housing. For purposes of easier manufacture, the feed channel isdesigned as a part of the actuating button directly above the hingeconnection between the nozzle and the tubular projection. By virtue ofthe fact that the feed channel, as a part of the actuating button,extends directly above the hinge connection between the nozzle and thetubular projection which may be mounted or inserted in the valve tubeletof the aerosol container, a minimum constructive length of theprojection is achieved. By means of the design of the spray capaccording to EP 0 160 816, the use of materials is reduced, this aboveall in the area of the centrally located tubular projection, with theconsequence of reduced cooling time and a higher ejection rate of theinjection moulding machines used.

Upon actuating the button in accordance with the known spray cap bydownward pressure in an axial direction towards the aerosol container,the tubular projection comes into connection with the valve tubelet ofthe aerosol container, so that fluid or the like located in the aerosolcontainer can be atomised into the environment via the feed channel andthe nozzle.

Problems however arise when an atomiser provided with the known spraycap is transported or stored without a protective closure, with theconsequence t hat, due to unintentional exertion of pressure on theactuating button, the atomiser is actuated and liquid or the like canemerge in an undesired way. In addition, the known spray cap is notsecure enough against use by unauthorised persons, e.g. children.

It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate a spray cap foraerosol containers comprising a housing and actuating lever, whichoffers a high degree of security in a simple way against undesired orunintentional actuation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is achieved by the subjectmatter accordingto the features of patent claim 1, the sub-claims comprising at leastappropriate designs and further developments.

In accordance with the basic idea of the invention, in the proposedspray cap the actuating lever and actuating button are constructedseparately in such a way that, without further manipulation, actuation,i.e. depression of the actuating button, does not lead to actuation ofthe valve of the aerosol container. Only by means of combined movement,entraining the actual actuating lever, is depression or opening of thevalve by exertion of force on a known valve tubelet of the aerosolcontainer effected.

Thus, according to the invention an actuating button is designedintegrally with the spray cap housing and, flexibly connected therewith,an actuating button, which is separate from an actuating-lever. Theactuating button has a drive hook, which co-operates with a driveprojection disposed on the free end of the actuating lever. In thenon-actuated condition, the drive hook and the drive projection oractuating button and actuating lever are spaced apart from each other.Axial or conventionally vertical movement of the actuating button in adownward direction, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis, ortowards the aerosol container, does not initiate any spray procedure, asaccording to the invention the drive hook of the actuating button movespast the drive projection of the actuating lever.

Only by movement of the actuating button in a radial or horizontaldirection, for example by corresponding exertion of pressure by means ofthumb or forefinger, will the actuating button move into such a positionas, during the following downward pressure, i.e. movement in thelongitudinal direction towards the aerosol container, will permit aneffective connection between drive hook and drive projection, so thatthe content of the container is released by means of the valve known perse.

In order to limit the horizontal or radial movement, the actuatingbutton has a stop or stop rim aligned towards the actuating lever. Boththe front wall of the actuating lever, which has a nozzle, and theactuating button, which has the forward-surfaces, are integrally andflexibly connected to the cap housing, and designed in the form of anextension of the cap wall.

By means of this hinge, which is for example designed in the form of afilm hinge due to the resilient properties of the plastic material used,both the horizontal and vertical or radial and axial movement ofactuating button and actuating lever are possible without difficulty.

The forward surfaces of the actuating button lie substantially in theplane of the front wall of the actuating lever and are laterally spacedapart therefrom. In addition, according to the invention the actuatingbutton has a recess, which serves to permit unhindered axial andinterference-free depression of the button itself, so that depression ofthe button effected in the normal way does not lead to initiation of aspray procedure, i.e. distribution of the contents of the aerosolcontainer.

According to the invention, the drive hook is so designed that itextends from a connecting section of the recess of the actuating buttondownwards towards the free end of the actuating lever, but laterallyoffset. The drive projection of the actuating lever extends towards theactuating button and is aligned upwards.

Upon movement of the actuating lever in a radial or horizontaldirection, i.e. towards the outlet nozzle, the drive hook is broughtinto such a position that, during the subsequent depression or movementof the actuating button in the axial direction, the actuating lever canbe transferred via the drive projection in the normal way into thereleased position. The size of the recess in the actuating button,particularly the lateral spacing between the free end of the actuatinglever and the end of the actuating button, which is possessed by thedrive projection, determines the necessary horizontal or radial movementuntil the drive projection and the drive hook are brought intoengagement with one another.

Due to the separate construction according to the invention of theactuating button and actuating lever, when the button is actuatedvertically alone, the spray channel is not released. Spraying is onlypossible if firstly the actuating button is moved radially forward andthen axially downwards. In this case the drive projection and the drivehook come into effective connection, so that in the normal way thetubular projection communicates with the valve tubelet of the aerosolcontainer, in order to release the contents to be distributed of thecontainer.

By means of the stop or rib on the actuating button, the displacementpath of the flexible actuating button in a forward direction is limited,and hooking or engagement of the drive projection and drive hook when itis depressed are simplified. After release of the actuating button, thislatter, and also the actuating lever, revert into the respective initialposition due to the return forces of the flexible integral connectionwith the cap housing.

In addition, the end of the actuating button lying opposite the hingedside can be connected by an intentional breakage point with the wall ofthe spray cap housing, so that a seal of guarantee is simply obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail in the following withrespect to embodiments given by way of example and with the assistanceof Figures. Shown are:

FIGS. 1a and 1b: front view and rear view of a spray cap according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 2a: a plan view of the spray cap according to FIGS. 1a and 1b;

FIG. 2b: a perspective view-of the spray cap according to theembodiment;

FIG. 3a: a longitudinal view of the spray cap in the inoperativeposition, and

FIG. 3b: a longitudinal sectional view of the spray cap in the actuatedcondition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The spray cap shown in the Figures is intended for an aerosol container10 (FIGS. 3a, 3b), which can for example be made of aluminium or thelike. The spray cap has a substantially cylindrical housing 1, on whichthere are integrally formed both an actuating button 2 and an actuatinglever 3.

The actuating lever 3 and the actuating button 2 are disposed in a caprecess 4, extending transversely over the surface, of the cylindricalhousing 1. The actuating lever 3 comprises a central tubular projection5, which may be inserted in or mounted on a valve tubelet 6 of theaerosol container 10, a nozzle 8 and a feed channel 7 connected to thelatter at one end and to the tubular projection 5 at the other end, forthe container contents, e.g. liquid, to be distributed.

In addition the actuating button 2, surrounding the actuating lever 3,is integrally formed with the cylindrical housing 1. The actuatingbutton 2 is connected to the housing 1 at its rear end by means ofseparating webs 9 having deliberate breakage points, and at the otherend via a hinged connection 11. An identical hinge connection 11a isprovided for the actuating lever 3, which extends upwards in extensionof the housing 1.

The hinged connections 11 and 11a are thus so formed that the front wall12, having the nozzle 8, of the actuating lever 3, is formed as anextension of the cap wall 13, in such a way that a hinge axis extendingroughly transversely to the cap longitudinal axis 14 results in thetransitional area between the front wall 12 of the actuating lever 3 andthe cap wall 13.

In the same sense, the hinged connection 11 for the actuating button 2is formed as a continuation of the cap wall 13. Accordingly theactuating button 2 has front surfaces 12, which lie substantially in theplane of the front wall 12 of the actuating lever 3, and surround thelatter at a lateral spacing. The actuating button 2 has a recess 16 forunhindered axial movement and interference-free depression in thedirection of the cap longitudinal axis 14, i.e. in the axial direction.

Upon initial exertion of pressure on the actuating button 2, theseparating webs 9 are broken and the button 2 may be moved or tilteddownwards around the defined hinged connection 11. The separating webs 9simultaneously indicate whether unauthorised use of the contents of theaerosol container has taken place or not. The said nozzle 8, to whichthe feed channel 7 is connected, is housed in a conventional bore or thelike provided in the front wall 12 of the actuating lever 3.

In order to secure the spray cap on the aerosol container 10, thehousing 1 is provided in the region of its lower edge with resilientlyengaging projections 17, which interact resiliently with recessesdisposed on the aerosol container 10.

As is to be seen by reference to the plan view in FIG. 2a, the recess 16in the actuating button 2 is so formed that a surrounding free sectionresults, which permits unhindered vertical depression without carryingalong the actuating lever 3.

In the illustration of the inoperative position of the spray cap shownin FIG. 3a, the integrally formed drive hook 18 can be seen. This drivehook 18 extends substantially vertically downwards and can be broughtinto interaction with a drive projection 19, which is cast on theactuating lever 3.

In the case when, originating from the inoperative position according toFIG. 3c, the actuating lever 3 is pressed downwards vertically in theaxial direction, due to the slot 20 between drive hook 18 and driveprojection 19, an unhindered movement is ensured, without transmissionof the energy of motion to the actuating lever 3. The desired securityof the spray cap against undesired use, e.g. by children, is provided bythis constructive measure.

Only when, with reference to FIG. 3b, firstly a movement of theactuating lever 3 in the radial direction, i.e. towards the nozzle 8 iseffected, is the drive hook 18 brought into such a position with respectto the drive projection 19 that, during the following or connectingdepression of the actuating button 2, the actuating lever 3 is carriedalong, so that release of the aerosol valve is possible via the tubularprojection 5.

After release of the actuating button 2, the latter, inclusive of theactuating lever 3, reverts to its original position as shown in FIG. 3.This is effected due to the hinged connections 11 and 11a and theresilient material properties of the housing cap and its integralcomponents. Thus actuation of-the valve tubelet 6 projecting out of thelid of the aerosol container 10 is only effected by applying a combinedmovement in the radial and subsequent axial direction, so that liquidcan emerge under pressure from the container 10 via the tubularprojection 5, the feed channel 7 and the nozzle 8.

The actuating button 2 has a stop rim 21, which serves to limit theradial or horizontal movement of the button in the direction of theactuating lever 3, so that the interaction between drive hook 18 and thedrive projection 19 is reliably ensured upon application of the combinedmovement described.

Because the lateral cap walls 13 are vertically stepped, the actuatingbutton 2 lies at a lower level, and the actuating lever 3 lies beneaththe level of the actuating button 2, unintentional actuation of theaerosol container 10 is extensively excluded, additional securityagainst unauthorised use being obtained by the necessary combined radialand axial movement already explained on the actuating button 2 with thepurpose of entraining the actuating lever 3.

By means of the hinged connections 11 and 11a in combination with theselection of the cap material, preferably plastics, a correspondingresilient movement of actuating button and actuating lever withcorresponding return into the inoperative or initial position may beachieved.

    ______________________________________                                        List of Reference Numbers                                                     ______________________________________                                        1.      Housing                                                               2.      Actuating button                                                      3.      Actuating lever                                                       4.      Recess in cap                                                         5.      Tubular projection                                                    6.      Valve tubelet                                                         7.      Feed channel                                                          8.      Nozzle                                                                9.      Separating webs                                                       10.     Aerosol container                                                     11.     Hinged connection                                                     12.     Front wall of actuating lever                                         13.     Cap wall                                                              14.     Cap longitudinal axis                                                 15.     Forward surfaces of actuating button                                  16.     Recess in actuating button                                            17.     Resiliently engaging projection on lower edge of housing              18.     Drive hook                                                            19.     Drive projection                                                      20.     Slot                                                                  21.     Stop rim                                                              ______________________________________                                    

What is claimed is:
 1. A spray cap for an aerosol container including avalve tube, said spray cap and said container having a common axis, saidspray cap comprisinga housing (1) having an outer wall (13), anactuating lever (3) having a tubular projection (5) extending along theaxis of the housing and container, said projection being constructed andconfigured for connection to said valve tube of the aerosol container, anozzle (8) for discharging the aerosol contents and said lever (3)having a feed channel (7) connected to said nozzle (8) at one end and tosaid tubular projection (5) at the other end for discharging thecontents of the container, said actuating lever (3) being integrallyformed with the housing (1) and including a first hinge connection (11a)with said outer wall (13) of the housing (1), the feed channel (7)extending radially with respect to the container axis and axiallydisplaced from the first hinge connection (11a) away from the container,an actuating button (2), a second hinge connection (11) integrallyformed with the button and the wall (13) of the housing (1) and saidbutton (2) being pivotally mounted thereby to move radially and axiallyof said container, the improvement wherein said actuating button (2)being spaced radially from said actuating lever and located to freelypass the actuating lever (3) when moved axially toward the container,said second hinge connection (11) being configured and constructed forradial movement of the actuating button (2) with a pivotal movementtowards the container, said actuating lever being mounted in the path ofsaid pivotal movement and engaged by said radial and pivotal movement ofthe button whereupon the actuating button (2) engages the actuatinglever (3) to pivot same toward the container about the first hingeconnection (11a).
 2. The spray cap of claim 1, wherein the actuatingbutton (2) includes a drive hook (18), and said actuating lever (3)includes a drive projection (19), said drive hook (18) and driveprojection (19) being configured and constructed for engagement inresponse to said radial movement and said pivotal movement of saidactuating button (2).
 3. The spray cap of claim 1, wherein the actuatingbutton (2) comprises a stop rim (21) aligned with and facing saidactuating lever (3) and located to limit the radial movement of saidlever.
 4. The spray cap of claim 1, wherein said housing (1) includes acap wall, said actuator lever (3) includes a front wall 12 forming acontinuation of said cap wall (13), said nozzle (8) being connected tosaid front wall 12 as a connected continuation of the cap wall (13) ofthe housing (1), said connection of said front wall (12) to said capwall (13) defining said hinge axis (11) extending substantiallytransversely to the cap axis (14) at a transitional area between thefront wall (12) of the actuating lever (3) and the cap wall (13), saidactuating button (2) having front surfaces (15) which lie substantiallyin the plane of the front wall (12) of the actuating lever (3), andadjacent thereto at a lateral spacing, said front surfaces (15) of saidbutton forming said second hinge connection (11) as a continuation ofthe cap wall (13).
 5. The spray cap of claim 1, wherein the actuatingbutton (2) has a recess (16) aligned with said lever (3) and nozzle (8)and constructed for said free axial movement and interference-freedepression of said button.
 6. The spray cap of claim 2, having saiddrive hook (18) located within said recess (16) and extending axiallytoward the free end of the actuating lever (3).
 7. The spray cap ofclaim 6, wherein said actuating lever (3) includes a drive projection 19extending axially towards the actuating button (2) and in the path ofsaid drive hook (18) with said pivotal movement of said button.
 8. Thespray cap of claim 7, wherein said actuating button is movable on saidhinged connection (11) radially through the slot (20) in the recess(16), and a continued subsequent pivotal movement moves the drive hook(18) into engagement with the drive projection (19).